NYPA FISHING

I spent day after day for years fished along the Shark River Inlet in Belmar NJ each fall. We used to buy a quart of fiddler crab and use them for the togs. We called them blackfish in jersey. I caught some real bruisers. Great tablefare. The sea bass in the inlet were all small for some reason. Once and a while there would be a good run of porgies too, another great eating fish.FM

I spent day after day for years fished along the Shark River Inlet in Belmar NJ each fall. We used to buy a quart of fiddler crab and use them for the togs. We called them blackfish in jersey. I caught some real bruisers. Great tablefare. The sea bass in the inlet were all small for some reason. Once and a while there would be a good run of porgies too, another great eating fish.FM

Growing up I only heard the name "blackfish", only learned they were really tautog when I was about college age. Agreed, fiddlers work well for the blackfish as do hermit crabs (really the best bait when pulled from their shell), for some reason none of the bait shops has any crabs for sale. We get after the porgies sometimes too, especially with a newbie or child aboard. Because we anchor instead of drift, it's easier for them to manage a rod and catch a bunch of fish. Sandworms are our bait of choice for porgies.